SARAH SHOEN

MAGIC AND NO CHEESE:

1 Cup Peeled, Finely Chopped Potatoes

1/4 Cup Peeled, Finely Chopped Carrots

2 tbsp. shallots, peeled and chopped

1/3 Cup Raw Cashews

1/2 tsp. Dijon Mustard

1/3 Cup Earth Balance Margarine

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/8 tsp. cayenne

1 to 1 1/2 tsp. Salt

1/4 tsp. garlic, minced

1/4 tsp. black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 º

Boil potatoes, shallots, onions and carrots in 2 cups of water, until they’re soft. Combine with earth balance, salt, pepper, garlic, cashews, cayenne, mustard, lemon juice, and one cup water in blender until smooth. Pour this magic sauce on top of your macaroni, along with breadcrumbs. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes, or until its all crispy and yummy.

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My mom is one of the best cooks ever, in the entire world, seriously. Above any other meal, I love when she makes me mashed potatoes. It is simple, easy, not very nutritional, but a meal. A big bowl of Mama’s Mashed Potatoes- butter, salt, and love.
What is love? Wow. Love is everything, as silly as that may sound.
Love is here and now and everything that has built up to opening my eyes this morning. Love picks us up when we are down, and is the only thing to turn too. It is the ultimate answer, truthfully, when you think about it. You’re sad - love yourself. You’re mad - love someone else. You’re happy - spread the love. You’re excited -share the love! Everything is always attached to love when you just let it in.
I know I feel it, I feel it whenever I think of my dad holding me close after falling on the cement. I feel it when I think of my Great Grandma’s hands. I feel it when I think of all those times my mom took care of me and when she’d make me Mama’s Mashed Potatoes for my birthday. I felt it a lot, thinking of my brother when he was fighting in Afghanistan. Love rushed in when fear filled my mind.
Love is watching your favorite movie over and over again. Love is getting caught in the rain at two in the morning after a night of karaoke. Love is serving pancakes to an absolute stranger. Love is caring for a child. Love is in the mirror. Love is in the heart. Love is in every smile on the street. Love is saying goodbye. Love is saying hello. Love, my dear, is everywhere.